Apparatus for holding portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding portable electronic device is provided, including an upper cover, a holding seat and at least a latch unit. The holding seat and the upper cover are coupled at one side so that the upper cover able to open or close using the coupling side as center. The latch unit is located at the coupling of the holding seat and the upper cover for locking position of the upper cover after opening; With the above structure, when the apparatus claps an electronic device, the bottom and top edges of the electronic device touch inner walls of the holding seat and the upper cover, respectively, and the latch unit locks the opening position of the upper cover. The open angle allows the electronic device to be held between the holding seat and the upper cover with a tilting angle inside the apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a holding apparatus, and more specifically to an apparatus for holding portable electronic device, with advantages of sun-shielding and convenient clapping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The portable electronic device holders currently available in the market mostly clap on to both sides of the electronic device to hold temporarily. For the type of electronic device that the user does not need to view the display screen often when using, this type of clapping is not problematic. However, if the user needs to refers to the display screen, for example, when using GPS, the holder must also enable the user to adjust the viewing angle of the electronic device for convenient use. If the viewing angle is incorrect or the external light is too strong to interfere with the viewing, the user may find the setting to inconvenient.

Hence, it is imperative to devise a holding apparatus to conveniently clap on to the electronic device, provide sun-shielding effect and enable the viewing of the device display easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for holding portable electronic device, with high portability, sun-shielding function and ease of clapping clap. The holding apparatus claps on the top and bottom edge of the electronic device so that the electronic device is seated inside the holding apparatus with a tilting angle. The holding apparatus also provide sun-shielding function to enable convenient and comfortable viewing of the device display.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for holding portable electronic device, with simple structure, easy operation, suitable for holding GPS, and so on. When the electronic device is not in use, the electronic device can be stored inside the holding apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus with power-generation function for holding portable electronic device. The apparatus includes solar panel to convert the solar power into electrical power to provide the electronic device.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for holding portable electronic device, including a holding seat, an upper cover and a latch unit. The main body of the holding apparatus is the holding seat. The upper cover can match to cover the top of the holding seat. The engagement between the holding seat and the upper cover is by coupling and the latch unit is located at the coupling of the holding seat and the upper cover to fasten the open angle of the upper cover. With the above structure, when the apparatus claps an electronic device, the bottom and top edges of the electronic device touch the holding seat and the upper cover, respectively, and the latch unit locks the open angle of the upper cover. The open angle allows the electronic device to be held between the holding seat and the upper cover with a tilting angle inside the apparatus.

Furthermore, the inner wall of the upper cover includes at least a contact element and the holding seat includes at least a positioning element. The locations of the contact element and the positioning element are far away from the coupling between the holding seat and the upper cover. When clapping, the contact element and positioning element touch the top and bottom edges of the electronic device, respectively, to prevent or stop the electronic device from moving to guarantee a firm clapping. Besides, the bottom surface of the holding seat may include an anti-slip layer so that the apparatus can stay stationary while the vehicle travels.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be understood in more detail by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the coupling structure inside the upper cover and holding seat according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the structure and the components of the latch unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the holding apparatus of the present invention in closed state;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the holding apparatus of the present invention clapping an electronic device; and

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the holding apparatus of the present invention clapping an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a schematic view and an internal coupling structure of the apparatus for holding portable electronic device according to the present invention, respectively. Holding apparatus 1 includes an upper cover 2, a holding seat 3 and at least a latch unit 4. The main body of holding apparatus 1 is formed by holding seat 3. Holding seat 3 and upper cover 2 are coupled at one side so that upper cover 2 can open and close using the coupled side as the center. Latch unit 4 is located at the coupling structure between holding seat 3 and upper cover 2 to fasten the open angle of upper cover 2. With the above structure, when the electronic device is held by holding apparatus 1, the electronic device is held between holding seat 3 and upper cover 2 with a tilting angle.

Because the holding apparatus of the present invention is mainly used in vehicles, the apparatus must be able to stay stationary when the vehicle travels, as well as, able to clap the electronic device firmly even when the vehicle is in a bumpy condition. The components of the apparatus of the present invention must be designed to provide the above functions. In the present embodiment, holding seat 3 is a rectangular container opening upwards. The main body of holding seat 3 is formed by an upper shell body 31 and a lower shell body 32. Upper shell body 31 forms a housing space 310 for housing the electronic device. After upper shell body 31 and lower shell body 32 are matched and locked, another bigger space is formed between upper shell body 31 and lower shell body 32 for housing the coupling structure of holding upper cover 2 and holding seat 3, where latch unit 4 is located.

The shape and the size of upper cover match the top shape of holding seat 3. When upper cover 2 covers the open of holding seat 3, the final exterior forms a closed box. In addition, upper cover 2 is coupled to a side cover 21. The location of side cover 21 is away from and parallel with the coupling edge of upper cover 2 and holding seat 3. Although the figures show that side cover 21 being flipped open and pressing against upper cover 2, side cover 21 is hanging in the vertical direction when no external force is present. The final flipped open position of side cover 21 is to press against upper cover 2. The inner walls of upper cover 2 and side cover 21 further include a contact element 22. Contact element 22 is to prevent the electronic device from slipping when contacting the top edge of the electronic device. In the present embodiment, contact element 22 is made of an anti-slip material, such as but not restricted to, foam or anti-slip soft pad. Contact element 22 can also be a product dot or protruding rib protruding from the surface of the inner walls of upper cover 2 or side cover 21 to prevent the electronic device from slipping out from the clapping direction.

Holding seat 3 includes a positioning element 33. Positioning element 33 is located at the position away from coupling edge of holding seat 3. The objective of positioning element 33 is to prevent the electronic device from slipping when contacting the bottom of the electronic device. Positioning elements can be realized in various implementations, and is not limited to the following embodiment. In the following embodiment, positioning element 33 includes a main board body 331 and a plurality of receiving blocks 332. The two sides of main board body 331 are coupled to holding seat 3 so that main board body 331 leaning forward or backward for angle adjustment with the left and right coupling sides as center. Main board body 331 also includes a lateral guiding trench 333. Guiding trench 333 includes a plurality of positioning openings 334. In the present embodiment, the number of receiving blocks is 2. The shape of receiving block is L-shaped, and the positions of receiving block 332 is restricted to move in guiding trench 333 in lateral direction. Positioning openings 334 provides the temporary lock for the moveable receiving block 332. When clapping, receiving blocks 332 are responsible for contacting and holding the bottom edge of the electronic device.

Latch unit 4 is located at the coupling structure of upper cover 2 and holding seat 3. Latch unit 4 is to lock the opening angle of upper cover 2. The latch unit can be realized in various implementations, and is not limited to the following embodiment. In the following embodiment, when latch unit 4 is in the unlock state, upper cover 2 can be opened up to the most wide opening angle automatically. When latch unit 4 is in the lock state and an external force is applied to upper cover 2, upper cover 2 can only be pressed downward but not upward. When the external force stops, upper cover 2 is locked to the position by latch unit 4. The opening angle formed by upper cover 2 allows the electronic device to be held between upper cover 2 and holding seat 3.

Refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Latch unit 4 includes a first ratchet disc 41, a second ratchet disc 42, a first resilient element 43, a second resilient element 44 and a link rod 45. First ratchet disc 41 is formed inside rotation axis 20 of upper cover 2. First ratchet disc 41 is engaged to rotation axis 20 and the two synchronize in rotation. The other side surface of the ratchet-free surface 410 of first ratchet disc 41 has an auxiliary rod 411. The other side surface of the ratchet-free surface of second ratchet disc 42 has a support rod 421. The movement of support rod 421 is caused by link rod 45. When button 46 of link rod 45 is triggered, second ratchet disc 42 is move laterally (to the right in the figure) by linkage. Second resilient element 44 is sheathed on the outside of support rod 421. In the normal condition, second resilient element 44 provides the flexibility to ensure the mutual engagement between second ratchet disc 41 and first ratchet disc 41. The ratchets are directional. That is, when the ratchets engage, upper cover 2 can be pressed downward, but not flipped upward. In addition, first resilient element 43 is a button spring, with one end fastened to auxiliary axis 411 and the other end fastened to the inside of lower shell body 32 of holding seat 3. First resilient element 43 provides the force for upper cover 2 to open upward automatically.

The following describes the operation of the holding apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 5, when not in use, upper cover 2 matches and covers the top of holding seat 3 and side cover 21 hangs vertically downward to seal the side gap after upper cover 2 covers the top of holding seat 3 so that the final shape of holding apparatus 1 is like a rectangular box. Latch unit 4 inside holding apparatus 1 will lock upper cover 2 firmly to cover holding seat 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, after button 46 of latch unit 4 is triggered, the ratchets will be in the release state via internal link rod 45. Upper cover 2 receives the force of first resilient element 43 to automatically open upward to the maximum opening angle. Positioning elements 33 can be flipped upward manually. After the force pressing button 46 stops, ratchets inside latch unit 4 are engaged again so that upper cover 2 can only be pressed downward in the subsequent operation process.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom edge of an electronic device 5 is placed at positioning elements 33 so that receiving blocks 332 are in direct contact with electronic device 5. Furthermore, because positioning element 33 is coupled to holding seat 3, positioning element 33 can be adjusted backward for the optimal viewing angle for the electronic device display. Afterward, upper cover 2 is pressed downward so that the inner wall of upper cover 2 is in direct contact with the top edge of electronic device 5, and latch unit 4 locks the position of upper cover 2 to achieve the clapping. The clapping position is not limited to the inner wall of upper cover 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the embodiment uses the inner wall of side cover 21 to contact the top edge of electronic device 5, and uses the deformed contact element 22 to increase the friction to further prevent electronic device 5 from slipping out from the opening direction. The feature of allowing the top edge of electronic device 5 to be in contact at different locations of the inner walls of upper cover 2 or side cover 21 enables the electronic device to be held in different angles for the optimal viewing angle to the display of the electronic device.

Additional elements can be added to further enhance the convenience of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a set of button springs 34 is placed at the coupling location of positioning element 33 and holding seat 3. The maximum angle for positioning element 33 opening is 90°. In the normal condition, because the closing of upper cover 2 on holding seat 3, positioning element 33 is housed horizontally inside housing space 310 (of FIG. 1) of holding seat 3. To use, after triggering button 46 of upper cover 2 to open, the force of button spring 34 enables positioning element 33 to flip open automatically.

As shown in FIG. 3, because the present invention is used in vehicle, the apparatus must stay stationary when the vehicle travels. Hence, the bottom surface of holding seat 3 includes an anti-slip layer 35, made of anti-slip material, such as, anti-slip cloth, foam, or adhesive soft gel pad. In addition, the anti-slip layer is not necessarily to distribute over the entire bottom surface. Instead, the anti-slip layer can be located at selective positions of the bottom surface of holding seat 3, such as, the four corners.

Furthermore, because the present invention is commonly placed on top of the dash board. When the vehicle is parked outside, the long time exposure to sun may be explored as an energy resource for additional functionality. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the top surface of upper cover 2 may include a plurality of solar panels 23. The inside of lower shell body 32 of holding seat 3 includes circuit board 36 and battery 37. Battery 37 si connected to solar panels 23 so that when the vehicle is parked under the sun, holding apparatus 1 can be automatically charged to provide the power to held electronic device. As shown in FIG. 6, when holding apparatus 1 claps electronic device 5, the recharging is in session.

In summary, the holding apparatus of the present invention is mainly for holding GPS or similar type of electronic devices. With low center of mass, the holding apparatus can stay stationary and stable on top of the dash board after holding the electronic device. Anti-slip layer 35 at the bottom surface of holding seat 3 provides additional anti-slip function. Furthermore, the large-area upper cover, in addition to clapping, also provides sun-shielding capability to facilitate better viewing of the display. Solar panels 23 are able to provide power to the electronic device. When not in use, the electronic device can be tucked away inside upper cover 2 and holding seat 3 for better protection.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for holding portable electronic device, comprising: a holding seat, an upper cover and at least a latch unit; said holding seat and said upper cover being coupled at one side so that said upper cover able to open or close using said coupling side as center; said latch unit located at said coupling of said holding seat and said upper cover for locking position of said upper cover after opening; wherein when said holding apparatus clapping, top edge of said electronic device contacting inner wall of said upper cover, and bottom edge of said electronic device contacting inner wall of said holding seat, said latching unit locking position of said upper cover after opening so that said electronic device being clapped by said holding apparatus with a tilting angle.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner wall of said upper cover comprises at least a contact element, located at location away from said coupling side of said upper over and said holding seat, when clapping, said contact element contacts top edge of said electronic device to prevent said electronic device from moving.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper cover is coupled to a side cover, said side cover is parallel with and located at location away from said coupling side of said upper cover and said holding seat, inner wall of said side cover comprises a contact element, when clapping, said contact element contacts top edge of said electronic device to prevent said electronic device from moving.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding seat comprises at least a positioning element, located at location away from said coupling side of said holding seat, when clapping, said positioning element prevents said electronic device from moving.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein bottom surface of said holding seat comprises an anti-slip layer.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein partial bottom surface of said holding seat comprises an anti-slip layer.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein top surface of said upper cover comprises a plurality of solar panels, inside of said holding seat comprises a battery and a circuit board, said circuit board is electrically connected to said solar panels and said battery.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch unit comprises internal engaging ratchets, when said ratchets of said latch unit are in engaged state, said upper cover can only be pressed downward when an external force is applied, and is locked to the opening position after said external force stops.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning element comprises a main board body and a plurality of receiving blocks, both sides of said main board body are coupled to said holding seat so that said main board body can rotate using said coupling locations as center, said main board body comprises a lateral guiding trench, said receiving blocks are L-shaped, and are restricted to move laterally along said guiding trench.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said coupling locations of said positioning element and said holding seat comprises a button spring to provide force for said positioning element to automatically flip open. 